| Popis: |
This chapter examines globalization’s economic aspect through the lens of history. It analyzes the impact of this phenomenon and its ideological twin, neoliberal economic policy. The chapter shows that both have played a crucial role in changing Latin America. Globalization is a concept with multifaceted meanings, relating to economics, culture, and mass communications. The chapter explores the impact of globalization by focusing on Mexico and Argentina, two countries at opposite ends of Latin America. Representing a broad cross section of the region, the two nations adopted globalization-oriented changes in different ways and circumstances. In Mexico’s case, reform produced mostly positive outcomes, leading that country to cling to, expand, and defend the policy. In Argentina, the results were complex and often tragic: the default of 2001–2002 produced political chaos, economic depression, and social upheaval. But in both Argentina and Mexico, globalization failed to deliver on two of its promises: the arrival of generalized well-being and the lessoning of wealth inequality. |
